Review: Best New Bands of 2022 at First Avenue
January 23, 2023
Since it began over 15 years ago, First Avenue’s annual Best New Bands showcase has become a graduation ceremony of sort. It’s a chance for the community to celebrate local bands’ accomplishments as they journey toward broader horizons.
Rising star Raffaella floated onstage first. Newly rooted after moving from New York a few years ago, she has established herself in the local scene as a theatrical pop vocalist and witty lyricist. Guitarist Sara L’Abriola, bassist Jake Luppen and drummer Joey Hays joined as her live band for the night. Luppen played the same showcase with Hippo Campus back in 2014 and Hays — known for supporting a remarkable number of bands simultaneously — would return again a few sets later. After a head-bopping set, Raffaella wrapped with a song from her 2022 EP LIVE RAFF LOVE called “GROWN UP.” Taking on the persona of a 20-something surfing through life’s daily minutia searching for a sense of belonging, she clung to Luppen’s leg, rolled around and sang, “I’m just trying to make people love me.” Based on the buzz afterward, Raffaella has ample support to continue flourishing here.
Obi Original — a Nigerian artist and producer, as well as a foundational member of Ozone Creations — jumped onto the stage next with more stamina than any performer that night. With a big band and a line of percussionists that seemed to fuel him directly — he bounded across the stage, weaving the microphone between his legs and delivering sun-soaked songs that cut through the collective mid-January numbness. He also invited the audience to dissolve the barrier between performer and listener with call-and-response moments peppered through each song.
In 2022, Obi Original opened for Genesis Owusu, played the State Fair, headlined the 7th Street entry, and released an EP. The big thrill of Best New Bands comes from watching musicians like Obi Original who are talented enough to cause a stir in the local scene but still in the process of proving themselves to the world at large. For his final song, Obi Original brought out fellow members of Ozone Creations, a pan-African Twin Cities music group and creative organization, for a fiery performance of their hit single, “Unknown Banga 001.”
The venue was filled to the brim by the time Mike Kota sang the first few lines of “Every Damn Day” a capella. The backing track quickly kicked in and cheers erupted as the song swelled and Kota delivered cutting lyrics about the insecurities that flare up in the early stages of deep self-discovery. “I just wanted to see if I could do this on my own,” Kota said as Joey Hays, Henry Breen, and Zak Khan filed onstage, “But this is Best New Bands.”
It’s brave to play with a live band for the first at the mainroom but Kota seems ready to take big steps after years of catching ears across the cities. Her utterly unique voice and the way she wields it added a magnetic sort of weight to her words. As someone who makes a practice of lifting others as she rises, Kota led everyone through a mid-set spoken affirmation, drawing a resounding, “I am stronger than I know” from the crowd.
The audience underwent an osmosis between sets as people wove toward the front to see a friend play or dipped for a water break by the merch tables. Those already familiar with killusonline gathered front and center as the curtain lifted for their set. Like a lit match, bassist Sean Clements leaped down from a 5-foot box on stage as a frenetic energy overcame the crowd and a mass of bodies began moshing in unison. A meld of metal and rap forms the foundation of the band’s sound, but killusonline’s complex and ruckus output can’t be easily pigeonholed. Glasses, IDs, and drinks were sacrificed when the pit doubled during “Inside Out,” with lead vocalist Mory spitting lyrics as short bursts of phrase with a controlled urgency that translated into emotional release for many. Bright-eyed and lightly bruised, sweaty pit people cleared out, heaping various forms of praise on the chaotic-death-grind-rap-core band.
The audience spanned generations, and the intentionally inexpensive ticket — $15 for seven bands — was a refreshingly low barrier to entry for grandparents, devout fans, people on first dates, and everyone else who showed up to support up-and-coming artists.
The sixth band, Harlow, an especially young band that formed in 2021, softened the room’s energy into something more nostalgic. Within a few songs, the crowd was a prairie of people swaying to warm crooning vocals and a lilting violin. Born and raised in the Midwest, the band’s set felt like an ideal soundtrack for road-tripping through Wisconsin during a drawn-out sunset with no definite destination. They’ve played many Twin Cities music haunts over the past year, from Mortimer’s to Amsterdam Bar, and have an upcoming gig at Red Wing’s Big Turn Music Festival. The set winded down with a grab-your-sweetie song, perhaps hinting at the continuation of a recent folk-country revival in the local scene brought on by bands like Harlow, Pit Stop, and Molly Brandt.
Emcees from local radio stations gave some context and commentary between bands. When introducing Creeping Charlie, they drew attention to free wildflower seed packets at the merch table. Wholesome merch is merely one reason that this band stands out in the wide sea of local indie rock. All dressed in black, the band delivered lead vocalist Julia Eubanks’ words as a loud and unified force that only grew more confident as their set went on.
The crowd had grown a bit weary when Brotherhood of Birds arrived at 11:30 p.m., but their music was just playful and infectious enough to get people dancing once again. Hatched in 2021, Brotherhood of Birds core consists of a guitar and banjo brother duo of Willie and Cole Christianson, as well as mandolin player Gavin Haskin. Every show includes different faces from their pool of no less than 19 local collaborators. The flock that made it to the stage tonight featured six people shredding on banjo, stand-up bass, and other stringed instruments, along with a drummer.
After six hours of music, the evening ended with even more anticipation, now looking at the year ahead. Each band that played has big shows, tours or releases ahead of them, and the audience left with at least a few new favorites to follow. Aside from pride in a music scene vibrant enough to produce a diverse showcase of fresh talent every year, Best New Bands is a reminder that support awaits those willing to step into the light and share their art with their community. With the spirit of new years still fresh, consider submitting that studio residency application, drafting that zine, or maybe even starting that band with your neighbor down the street.
